Матеріал до теми "Olympic games"

Olympic Games

At the moment, the 32nd edition of the Olympic Games is being held in Tokyo, Japan which was planned to take place last year.

      But due to the coronavirus pandemic, it was not possible.  However, its name was kept as Tokyo 2020. The Olympic Games are held every four years and are inaugurated in a ceremony in which all the athletes from the participating countries parade with their flags.

      But the most important moment happens when they carry the Olympic torch to the cauldron and light the flame.  A moment undoubtedly exciting! This flame will remain lit during all the games and it is carried hand to hand to the next site of the Olympic Games.  In this way, the Olympic fire never goes out.

    Interesting, right? Currently, guys, there are 33 Olympic sports and the best men and women of each discipline participate in them. Tennis, Athletics, Swimming, Gymnastics, Soccer, Basketball, Volleyball, Baseball, Ping-Pong, Martial Arts, to name a few! In short, there are many sports! 

    Let's get to know how the Olympic Games began. It all started a long time ago in Ancient Greece, in Olympia to be more exact, in 776 BC.

    It was to honor the god Zeus. Zeus was the most important of the 12 gods that inhabited Olympus.  He is the sky and storm god, represented by thunder and lightning.

     One of the most famous stories about the Olympic's origin tells us that Heracles and his four brothers ran to Olympia to entertain Zeus when he was just born. As Heracles was the first to arrive, he won! And an olive crown was placed on his head. This is why the prize of the first Olympics was an olive crown.

     Did you know that the first mascot of the Olympic Games was in Munich in 1972? Yes, it was a dog named Valdi.

     Since then, each edition has its own mascot. In Tokyo 2020, the mascot is called Mirador and has been described as a futuristic fox with supernatural powers to spread the Olympic spirit. Did you know that the Olympic flag that we know, with the five interlocking rings, represents the five populated continents? Europe, America, Asia, Africa and Oceania.

      In 1896 in Athens, the first Olympic Games were held, considered the first edition of the Games in modern history, with athletes from 14 different countries. At that time, there were only 9 Olympic sports. In the next edition of the Olympic Games in 1900 in Paris, for the first time, women were able to participate.

      Did you know that gold medals are made of silver?  At one point in history, the gold medal was made of pure gold. But since 1912, medals have been made of silver, with about just 6 grams of gold. 

     And last but not least, do you know which athlete has the most gold medals? The most Olympic medals? The American Michael Phelps. He is a legend in swimming, known as the Baltimore Shark, and has won a total of 28 medals, of which 23 are gold. 

1.Choose the correct answer:

1. Where are the current Olympic Games being held?                                                                                       a) Paris
   b) Tokyo
   c) Athens
   d) Munich
2. Why were the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games postponed?                                                                                  a) Because of a war
   b) Due to bad weather
   c) Because of the coronavirus pandemic
   d) Due to lack of money
3. What does the Olympic flame symbolize?                                                                                                             a) Peace
   b) Celebration
   c) The fire of Zeus
   d) Continuity of the Olympic spirit
4. When and where did the first modern Olympic Games take place?                                                              a) Olympia, 776 BC
   b) Paris, 1900
   c) Athens, 1896
   d) Munich, 1972
5. Who has won the most Olympic medals?                                                                                                                a) Usain Bolt
   b) Heracles
   c) Valdi
   d) Michael Phelps

6.  What was the purpose of the first Olympic Games in Ancient Greece?
   a) To find the fastest man
   b) To honor the god Zeus
   c) To entertain the king
   d) To win gold medals
7.  What sport is NOT mentioned in the list from the text?
   a) Swimming
   b) Ping-Pong
   c) Skiing
   d) Gymnastics
8.   Who was Zeus?
   a) A famous athlete
   b) A Greek warrior
   c) The god of the sky and storm
   d) The mascot of the Olympics
9. When was the first Olympic mascot introduced?
   a) 1896
   b) 2020
   c) 1972
   d) 776 BC
10.  What are Olympic gold medals mostly made of?
    a) Bronze
    b) Pure gold
    c) Copper
    d) Silver with a little gold

2.Write True or False:

1. The Olympic flame goes out after each edition.
2. The Olympic Games are held every four years.
3. The first Olympic mascot was a cat named Mirador.
4. Heracles won the first ancient Olympic race.
5. Gold medals are still made of pure gold.

3.Match the word to its meaning: